he says he was in the right place at the right time in afghanistan when he met a boy suffering from a rare and life-threatening birth defect. that boy captured the major's attention and heart. now with the help of doctors and a host family in new jersey, he's thriving and teaching us a few things along the way. at the family home in new jersey, muslam is like any other 7-year-old playing in the back yard. but a few months ago this young boy from afghanistan couldn't have imagined running around like most kids his age. >> he couldn't do anything six months ago but hold his bladder and walk with holding his bladder to protect it. >> reporter: he suffered from a life-threatening birth defect born with his bladder on the outside of his body. he traveled here last fall for a series of corrective operations and is staying with the hoplinger family but he's ready to return. it was the help of a army may jo who made it all possible. they met in afghanistan last year when his mom desperately reached out for help. >> i stopped and saw muslim, his mom exposed him to me, and she was just distraug